Means for loading and unloading highway trucks onto and off of railroad cars



.1. M. ROBERTS- MEANS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING HIGHWAY March 5, 1957 TRUCKS ONTO AND OFF OF RAILROAD CARS 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Oct. 3, 1955 WVE/VTOR: JOEL M. ROBERTS A T TOP/VEV J. M. ROBERTS MEANS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING HIGHWAY TRUCKS ON March 5, 1957 2,783,900 TO AND OFF OF RAILROAD CARS 3 She'ets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 3, 1955 |A|IIIIQ f m n h m A h H m n u u u n m m n n u n u n n m m m c m m m m m u ,om iw mm Q0 H mu m Q 5: x l f\ I L I 1 3+ T L 1 I I I r owk h" m; I Q Q ms t 5 if "m x r J k Q mi Q kb mm m n h r n 7 n n O 5,1 M. (x u m n. Tfliili. wwwm||, ILW W HMHHUUQE Lfii. H Q m? I i N m 3 I \WV WY Nfi T n x n V k bb wb W, n b A g Q E Q g k I {wk R m6 //VVE/\/TO/?.' JOEL M. ROBERTS ATTO/P/VEV March 5, 1957 J. M. ROBERTS 2,783,900

MEANS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING HIGHWAY TRUCKS ONTO AND OFF OF RAILROAD cARs Filed Oct. 3, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IHHHHH m l.

JOEL M. ROBERTS AT TOR/VEV nited MEANS FOR LOADING AND UNLOADING HIGH- WAY TRUCKS ONTO AND OFF OF RAILROAD CARS This invention relates to a means for loading and unloading highway trucks onto and off of railroad cars for the so-called piggy back system of transportation.

It is an object of this invention to easily, readily, and safely load and unload highway trucks onto and 01f of railroad cars.

A further object is to provide a means for loading highway trucks onto railroad cars in an accurate position with a minimum of time and eifort.

Another object of this invention is to provide a generally improved means. for loading and unloading highway trucks onto and off of railroad cars.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a side elevational view of a preferred em-.

bodiment of this invention showing two highway trucks prior to being loaded onto the railroad car.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view similar to the showing of Fig. 1 but with the apparatus in a raised position for supporting the highway trucks on the railroad car.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in Fig. l but with the railroad car and highway trucks removed.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the railroad car shown in Fig. 2 but with the highway trucks removed.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic side view of a preferred hydraulic system shown with the apparatus shown in Fig. 2 but with parts removed.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views.

With reference to the drawings, this invention is described as consisting of an elevator 10, disposed within a pit 11, preferably formed below the level of the ground line 12. A railroad car 13, with the usual wheels 15 suitably connected thereto, is shown supported by the elevator while two highway trucks 14 are in turn disposed above the railroad car. Of course, the trucks 14 shown are the trailer trucks of the usual semi tractortruck combination. it should be understood that it is employed for towing the trucks to their positions, as mentioned later.

Disposed on the ground level and adjacent the pit 11 are two sections of railroad track 16 on opposite sides of the pit. The floor 17 of the elevator is also provided with discontinuous sections of track 18 which align with the sections 16 when the elevator is raised to the ground level position of Fig. 2. Fig. 3 best shows that the elevator is provided with a plurality of vertically disposed openings 19 and 20 along the line of the track sections 18. The openings 19 and 20 respectively receive pillars or support members 21 and 22 based in the bottom of the pit 11, such as in the concrete shown, to extend upwardly to the level of the ground line. The upper surface of the pillars is provided with sections of railroad track 23 which also align with the sections 16 The tractor is not shown though tates Patent O ice track when the elevator is raised as shown in Fig. 2.

To facilitate up and down movement of the elevator 10, the opposite ends of the latter are provided with guide wheels 24 which engage the sides of the pit 11 to roll thereon in a suitable track. Fig. 6 shows one means of raising and lowering the elevator 10 with the means being a hydraulic system. Thus, a motor 26' is provided to drive a hydraulic pump 27 to which is connected a hydraulic outlet line 23. The latter enters a two-way slide valve 29 having the usual two outlets 31 and 32 with each connected to a T 33. Of course, a valve handle 35 is included in the valve 29 and positioning of the handle permits the hydraulic pressure to enter either selected one of the links 31 and 32. Entrance lines 34 connect with one of the Ts to lead into the lower ends of two hydraulic cylinders 36 which'are based in the pit 11. Other entrance lines 37 lead from the other one of the Ts and into the upper ends of the cylinders 36. The usual piston 38 is disposed in each or the cylinders 36 to be capable of reciprocal movement therein so that hydraulic pressure in the lines 34 will position the piston upwardly in the cylinder while pressure in the lines 37 will move the piston downwardly. A piston rod 39 is attached to each piston 38 while a pin 40 on the end of each rod 39 connects to the elevator 10, as shown. The usual return line 41 is connected to the valve 29 to extend therefrom to a reservoir 50 which is connected to the hydraulic pump 27, and this permits the fluid to return to the pump in the usual manner. Of course, the elevator is thus moved up and down through the action of the hydraulic system. The. elevator can be supported by abutments 45 when the elevator is in the lowered position of Fig. 1. Since this is a conventional manner of moving an elevator, no further description of the system and elevator is deemed to be necessary.

Since the railroad car 13 is disposed on the elevator by moving the car along all of the tracks described, when the elevator is in the raised or Fig. 2 position, and the car 13 is lowered with the elevator to the Fig. 1 position, the bed of the car 13 is provided with openings 42 and 43, as shown in Fig. 4. The openings 42 and 43 are aligned with the openings 19 and 20 in the elevator when the car is located on the elevator, as described later. Thus, the openings in the car permit the car to be lowered to the Fig. 1 position while the pillars 21 and 22 project through the openings in the car. To insure proper alignment of the car 13 on the elevator, means are preferably provided for spotting and holding the car on the elevator. Fig. 6 shows another slide valve 44 connected with the pump 27 through a line 46 in communication with the outlet 28 of the pump 27. A valve handle 47 is a part of the valve 44 to permit directing fluid pressure into the outlet lines 48 and 49 connected to the valve. The line 49 branches into two flexible lines 51 which each enter one end of two cylinders 52 mounted on the elevator at pivot pins 55. The line 48 is connected to a line 53 and the ends of the lines 43 and 53 connect to two flexible lines 54 which each enter the opposite end of the cylinders 52.

Of course, control of hydraulic pressure in the lines 48 and 49, through control of the valve 44, will actuate the cylinders 52 to control the usual piston rods 56 of the cylinders. The rods 56 are pinned to arms 57 which the car 13 and the arms 57 abut stops 60 to limit arm.

movement. In pivoting the arms 57, the cylinders also pivot about their pins 55, and the flexiblelines 51 and Patented Mar. 5, 1957 Sdpermit the cylinders to pivot as-the piston-rods move axially in the cylinders. Thus, the car 13 is accurately spotted on the elevator.

Withthe foregoing described construction, the car 13 is lowered to the Fig. 1 position and the highway trucks l t-are driven into their positions shown-with-the truck rear-wheels l-supported on the pillars 22 while the trucklanding gear or wheels 62 are supported on the pillars 21. Of course, the pillars or supports 21 and 22 are thus locatedand dimensionedto support the trucks, as shown.

The elevator with the car 13 is thus free to be'raised to the Fig. 2 position as the truck wheels 61 and 62 are respect-ively received in the openings'43 and 42 of the car 13.' Then the-bed 63 of the car 13 abuts the bottom of the trucks to raise the latter oh the pillars as the usual bottorn channelof the truck is'received in the recess 65- of the car-13. The car 13 is then free to move oi! the elevatorand-alongthe track while carrying the trucks in a piggy bac fashion. Of course, the'trucks 14 can be unloaded off the car 13 by a reverse procedure.

-Trucks-14 of-the type shown-have a hitch 64 which; attachesto the turn-table of the truck tractor (notshown) when the truck and tractor are'draft attached. Toaccommodate the bitch on the car 13,- the latter is shown to includearecess 66 which receives the hitch;

Also, to permit the trucks to get .into position on the pillars, the tracks 16 are surrounded by blocks or a platforrn67 which can be suitably inclined at certain areasto'allow thetrucks to get onto the tracks and to keep 1 them there until lifted onto the car 13. Of course, the blocks 67 are spaced from the tracks so as not to interfere with theuse of the tracks by the car 13, and the blocks surround the tracks 23-on the pillars Hand 22.

It is shown that the pit 11 is provided with recesses 68 at each end thereof for receiving the coupling members 69 0f the car 13 when the latter is lowered. Also, the car 13 is preferably provided with guide means, such as end inclines 71' and central inclines 72 affixed to the bed 63 of the car, to guide and hold the trucks 14 on the car.

Further, since the trucks 14 are supported on the car 13' by the body-of the'truck' abutting the car bed 63, the truck,

wheels 61-ar e preferably held up by two chains 73attached to the car 13 to be clear of the pillars 22 when the car is-lowered.

While a specific embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it should be obvious that certain changes could be made therein, and the invention should,

therefore, be limited'only by the scope of the appended claims.

' I claim:

1. Apparatus for loading and unloading highway trucks onto and ofi of railroad cars, the combination comprising an elevator of a length to receive a railroad car and having: openings in the floor of the elevator to conform to the position of the ground-engaging elements of ahighway truck when the latteris disposed in a loading position above said elevator, stationary members disposed within said openings of said elevator to permit said elevator to beraised and lowered with respect to said members and for supporting said truck at said ground-engagingelements o f said truck when the latter is in said loadingj pos tion, railroad track attached to said floor of said elef vator and the top of said members for supporting said railroad car for movement along said track, the top of said track on said members and the top of said railroad 2. Apparatus for loading and unloading highway trucks onto and oif of railroad cars, the combination comprising an approachsection of railroad tracks disposedatthe."

ground level, an elevator disposed in alignment with said track and contiguous thereto for movement below the level of said track and said elevator having openings in the floor thereof spaced to match with the spacing of the positions of the wheels of said highway trucks, stationary supports disposed in said openings of said elevator for supporting said trucks when the latter are separately positioned on said supports, disconnected sections of railroad track mounted on the floor of said elevator and the'tops of said supports to form one continuous railroad track in conjunction with the first mentioned said track when said elevator is in the raised position, a railroad car. having openings aligned with said openings of said elevator when said car is positioned above said elevator, means on said railroad car along the longitudinal center section thereof and spanning said openings thereof for supporting the axles of said wheels oftsaid trucks when the latter are loaded-onto said railroad car.

3. Apparatus for loading and unloading a highway truck onto and'oif of a railroad car, the combination comprising a first railroad track disposed at ground level, an-

elevator disposed in alignment with said track and contiguous thereto for vertical movement between said ground level and therebelow, a railroad car, said elevator andsaid railroad car having vertical openings of a size and disposed to receive the wheels of said highway truck when thelatter is loaded on the car, powered means engageable with said car for spotting the latter to align said openings therein with said openings of said elevator, stationary support members disposed in said openings of said elevator to terminate in top surfaces disposed level with said ground level and permitting said elevator to move up and down with respect to said members, sections of railroad track attached to the floor of said elevator and said top surfacesof said support members to form one continuous railroad track with said first railroad track-when said elevator is level with said ground level.

4. Apparatus for loading and unloading a highway truck onto and off of a railroad car, the combination comprising a first section of railroad track disposed on the ground, an elevator disposed in alignment with said track and contiguous thereto for vertical movement below the level of said ground, second sections of railroad track attached to the floor of said elevator to alignwith said first railroad track when said elevator is raised to. an elevation where said tracks are level in one common plane, a railroad car, said elevator being of it length at leastthat-of said railroad car for supporting the latter, means for predeterminately positioning said railroad car on said elevator, said elevator and said railroad car-having vertical openings in the floors thereof with certain of said openings in each located for vertical alignment with certain of said openings in the other when said railroad car is predeterminat ely positioned on said" elevator and with certain of said openings spaced .to conforrri to the spacing of the wheels on said highway truck; support members stationarily disposed to project through said openings in said elevator and said railroad carjto support said; highway truck and to have an upper surface disposed level with the ground, third sections of' railroad t rack attached to'said-upper surface for alignment; with said first section of railroad track and saidseconds'ections ofrailroad track when said elevator is raised to said elevation with all of said sections of railroad track forming one continuous railroad track for supporting movement of said railroad car.-

5. Apparatus for loading andunloading a highway truck onto and off of a railroad car, the combination comprising-a first railroad track disposed at ground level, a-railroad car, an elevator of at least the length of said carand disposed in alignment with said trackand contiguous; thereto for vertical -movement between said groundlevel and therebelow, said elevator and said rail-' road car having vertical'openings therein of a size and disposed to receive the wheels of said highway truck when the latter is loaded onto said car, means attached to said car for supporting said wheels of said truck when the latter is loaded onto said car, stationary support members disposed in said openings of said elevator to remain in position as the latter with said car is moved up and down over said members and said members including top surfaces disposed level with said ground level, sections of railroad track attached to the fioor of said elevator and said top surfaces of said support members to form one continuous track When said elevator is level with said ground level for positioning said car on said elevator by moving along said one continuous track to be raised and lowered with said elevator.

6. Apparatus for loading and unloading a highway truck onto and off of a railroad car, the combination comprising a first section of railroad track disposed on the ground and terminating at a point adjacent a pit in the ground, an elevator disposed in said pit in alignment with said track and contiguous thereto for vertical movement below the level of said ground, second sections of railroad track attached to the fioor of said elevator to align with said first section of railroad track when said elevator is raised to an elevation where said tracks are both disposed in one horizontal plane, a railroad car, said elevator being of a length at least that of said railroad car for supporting the latter, hydraulically powered means disposed for engagement with said railroad car when the latter is on said elevator for spotting said railroad car along said second section of the railroad track on said elevator, said elevator and said railroad car having vertical openings in the floors thereof with certain of said openings in each located for vertical alignment with certain of said openings in the other when said railroad car is spotted on said elevator and with said certain of said openings spaced to conform to the spacing of the wheels on said highway truck, chains attached to said railroad car spanning certain of said openings thereof for support of the axles of said truck when the latter is loaded onto said railroad car, said elevator also in cluding an upper surface for engagement with the lower surface of the body of said truck for supporting said truck on said railroad car with said wheels disposed in said openings of said railroad car, said openings also being of a size greater than the plan area of said wheels of said truck for completely receiving said wheels when said elevator with said car is moved vertically, stationary pillars mounted on the floor of said pit and extending upwardly therefrom and projecting through said openings in said elevator and said railroad car to the level of said ground, third sections of railroad track attached to the tops of said pillars and aligned with said first section of railroad track and said second sections of railroad track when said elevator is raised to said ground level and with all of said sections of railroad track then forming one railroad track for supporting movement of said railroad car.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,605,007 Gaynor July 29, 1952 2,722,322 Gunderson Nov. 1, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 669,015 France July 27, 1929 

